Applicator system and method for flowable compositions

ABSTRACT

Described are applicators having a plunger with a plunger body, and a tube having a receptacle end for insertion of the plunger, and a connector end formed of flexible plastic material having a bull-nose shape. As an example, the plunger body can include a viewing window. As another example, the connector end has an internal surface that is free of threaded connectors. The connector end can also have a snap-fit coupling design to couple to a snap-fit nozzle. The snap-fit nozzle can be connected to an adaptor cap or an administering tool of a metering dispenser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/031,746, filed on Jul. 10, 2018 and entitled APPLICATOR SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR FLOWABLE COMPOSITIONS, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/172,876, filed on Jun. 3, 2016 and entitledFLOWABLE COMPOSITION APPLICATOR, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,086,146, which isrelated to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/170,512, filed on Jun. 3, 2015 and entitled FLOWABLECOMPOSITION APPLICATOR, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to applicators and dispensers fordispensing flowable compositions, and more particularly, to a snap-fitconnection for the applicators and/or for the dispensers having arotatable housing which causes a floor member to rise and urge apredetermined amount of flowable composition through an opening in acap.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, applicators for delivering substances to body cavities,such as the vagina and rectum, comprise a blunt, hollow tube or barrelinto which a plunger can be inserted. Typically, these tubes are formedof rigid plastic material that has no flexibility during insertion,which often makes use and application difficult and painful for theuser.

In many cases, the leading end of the tube includes internal threads toattach the tube to a dispenser for loading the applicator with cream orother flowable substances. When the substance is discharged into thecavity, the threads typically are filled by the substance, resulting ininaccurate dosing. Additionally, this may create hygiene problems forthe user because cleaning the tube may not remove all of the substancefrom the threads and thus bacteria may hide in the threads.

Typically, the user loads the applicator based on markings that appearon the body of the plunger that is positioned inside the tube. If theuser does not ensure that the volume of the tube below the plunger iscompletely filled by the substance (i.e., there are no air gaps insidethe tube), then further dosing inaccuracies may occur. Dosinginaccuracies may also occur when loading because the applicator requiresthe user to squeeze the substance out of the dispenser and into theapplicator. In many cases, when the user squeezes the dispenser, thedispenser sucks back some or all of the substance, making it difficultfor the user to load the applicator. Thus, loading the applicatorrequires skill and tedious attention to detail by the user, therebymaking it difficult for the user to obtain accurate dosing.Specifically, the user must carefully squeeze the dispenser until thesubstance reaches the desired marking and then carefully un-thread theapplicator from the dispenser to release the vacuum to obtain accuratedosing.

Usually, the user dispenses the substance from the applicator into thebody cavity by depressing the plunger into the tube. However, a certainamount of clearance between the plunger and the tube is necessary toavoid leakage of the substance back into the tube. On one hand, if thereis too much space between the plunger and the tube, leakage may occurbecause the substance may remain in the space between the tube and theplunger. On the other hand, if there is not enough space between theplunger and the tube, the plunger may get stuck or bend in the tube, andleakage may result from the substance blowing by the plunger and backinto the tube. Consequently, if the clearance is too much or too little,leakage will occur, resulting in inaccurate dosing.

Thus, it may desirable to provide an applicator with a moreflexible/smoother leading end for more comfortable use, a connectiondesign that eliminates the inaccuracies associated with the internalthreads in the applicator, as well as a way to improve the dosingaccuracy of flowable material into the applicator.

SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “thepresent invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly toall of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below.Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit thesubject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of thepatent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patentare defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is ahigh-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introducessome of the concepts that are further described in the DetailedDescription section below. This summary is not intended to identify keyor essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intendedto be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. The subject matter should be understood by reference toappropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any orall drawings and each claim.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, an applicatorcomprises a plunger having a body, and a tube comprising a receptacleend for insertion of the plunger, and a connector end formed of flexibleplastic material having a bull-nose shape.

In certain embodiments, an internal surface of the connector end is freeof threaded connectors.

In some embodiments, a viewing window is positioned in the body of theplunger. The plunger body may have a straightness deviation of less than0.04 inches. The plunger may be manufactured using a mold.

The connector end may comprise a snap-fit coupling design. The snap-fitcoupling design may be configured to couple to a snap-fit nozzlecomprising a tip positioned proximate a recessed area.

In some embodiments, the snap-fit nozzle is connected to anadministering tool. The administering tool may be connected to ametering dispenser.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a meteringdispenser comprises a body comprising an inner wall, a first end, and asecond end, wherein the inner wall defines a chamber having across-sectional shape that varies along a longitudinal draft andconfigured to hold a flowable composition, a drive screw coupled to thesecond end of the body, wherein the drive screw comprises an elongatedshaft having at least one external thread, wherein the elongated shaftis arranged to extend substantially along a length of the chamber, and aplunger comprising a plunger cross-sectional shape, wherein the plungeris positioned within the chamber and is coupled to the elongated shaftof the drive screw so that the plunger travels along the elongated shaftthrough the chamber when the drive screw is rotated, wherein the plungercomprises at least two annular lips for contact with the inner wall,wherein at least one annular lip of the at least two annular lips isconfigured to flex in a direction toward the first end of the body sothat the plunger forms a fluid seal with the inner wall of the chamberas the plunger travels along the elongated shaft through the chamber.

In some embodiments, the metering dispenser further comprises a baserotationally coupled to the second end of the body, wherein the forcerequired to rotate the base and body relative to each other varies toprovide tactile feedback to a user.

In some embodiments, the metering dispenser further comprises a baserotationally coupled to the second end of the body, wherein rotation ofthe base and body relative to each other provides audible feedback whenat least one relative position is reached.

In various embodiments, the metering dispenser may further comprise achild resistant cover. The child resistant cover may be positionableproximate the base to make rotation of the base at least difficult. Thechild resistant cover may surround the base and require compression at apredetermined position to release the child resistant cover from thebase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an applicator, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1 with the tubeshown as transparent to view the plunger positioned therein.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tube of the applicator of FIG. 1, asviewed from the connector end.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tube of the applicator of FIG. 1, asviewed from the receptacle end.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plunger of the applicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1 connected to asnap-fit nozzle of an administering tool of a dispenser, according tocertain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the snap-fit nozzle of the administeringtool and the dispenser of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the snap-fit nozzle of theadministering tool of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional partial view of the plunger and the tube ofthe applicator of FIG. 1 with the plunger positioned adjacent theconnector end.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional partial view of the plunger and the tube ofthe applicator of FIG. 1 connected to the snap-fit nozzle of theadministering tool of FIG. 6 with the plunger positioned adjacent thesnap-fit nozzle.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the administering tool of FIG. 1connected to a snap-fit nozzle of an adaptor cap connected to anoff-the-shelf or prescription threaded tube, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the snap-fit nozzle of the adaptor capand the tube of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the snap-fit nozzle of the adaptorcap of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an applicator, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 14 with the tubeshown as transparent to view the plunger positioned therein.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the plunger of the applicator of FIG.14.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 14 connected toa threaded nozzle of an administering tool of a dispenser, according tocertain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the threaded nozzle of theadministering tool and the dispenser of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an applicator, according to certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the plunger of the applicator of FIG.19.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the plunger and the tube of theapplicator of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional partial view of the plunger and the tube ofthe applicator of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is describedhere with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but thisdescription is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of theclaims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, mayinclude different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction withother existing or future technologies. This description should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among orbetween various steps or elements except when the order of individualsteps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

FIGS. 1-22 show certain embodiments of an applicator 1000 according tothe present invention for dispensing a flowable composition 20. Theflowable composition 20 may include but is not limited to creams orsemi-solid emulsions such as oil-in-water creams and water-in-oilcreams, gels, sols, colloids, suspensions, solutions, liquids withpositive viscosity such as syrups, or other suitable flowablecompositions or medicaments.

In certain embodiments, the applicator 1000 may have the following maincomponents: a plunger 1100 and a tube 1200.

In some embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, 11, 14-17, and19-21, the plunger 1100 comprises a body 1102 with a flared end 1104 anda tip 1106. In these embodiments, the tube 1200 comprises a hollow core1202 formed by substantially cylindrical walls 1204 with a receptacleend 1206 and a connector end 1208.

In certain embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 20-22, the plunger1100 may have a viewing window 1112 through the body 1102 of the plunger1100. The viewing window 1112 is configured to stabilize the plunger1100 during manufacturing and ensure that the plunger 1100 ismanufactured with a substantially straight 1102. For example, with theincorporation of the viewing window 1112, the body 1102 of the plunger1100 may be manufactured with a straightness tolerance of less than 0.04inches, which is defined as how much the axis of the body 1102 variesfrom an ideal straight line. In further embodiments, the straightnesstolerance of the plunger body 1100 may be less than 0.02 inches, and thestraightness tolerance of the plunger body 1100 may further be less than0.01 inches.

In certain embodiments, the viewing window 1112 may comprise two strips1116 of substantially equal thickness and substantially equal lengthseparated by a void 1118. In other embodiments, there may be three ormore strips 1116, which are spaced equally or non-equally around theperimeter of the body 1102 so as to form multiple voids 1118. Thesestrips 1116 are shaped with sufficient thickness and length to ensurethat the plunger body 1102 remains substantially rigid when the plunger1100 is in use.

The improved straightness of the plunger 1100 provided by the viewingwindow 1112 allows less leakage of flowable composition 20 duringdispension. The improved stability of the plunger 1100 also allows theplunger 1100 to be manufactured using a mold while also achieving astraightness tolerance of less than 0.04 inches, and more specificallyof less than 0.02 inches, and even more specifically, of less than 0.01inches. Additionally, the viewing window 1112 facilitates cleaning ofthe plunger 1100, as a cleaning solution may be poured through theviewing window 1112.

In certain embodiments, the plunger 1100 may include a set of marks 1108along a side of the body 1102, with each mark correlating to aparticular quantity of flowable composition 20 remaining in the tube1200. In these embodiments, the walls 1204 of the tube 1200, or at leasta portion thereof, is preferably clear or translucent so that the marks1108 may be viewed through the tube 1200. In other embodiments, it isnot necessary to view the marks 1108 through the tube 1200, as the markis designed to indicate the volume inside the tube 1200 when the desiredmark 1108 is aligned with an edge of the receptacle end 1206 of the tube1200. In further embodiments, the plunger 1100 may not include anymarks.

The tip 1106 of the plunger 1100, in some embodiments, may be rounded,which provides additional comfort for the user. The tip 1106 may also beformed of a mesh material, which further enhances comfort for the user.When the plunger 1100 is inserted into the tube 1200, the tip 1106 isinserted through the receptacle end of the tube 1200 and the hollow core1202 until the tip 1106 reaches the connector end 1208 of the tube 1200,at which point the flared end 1104 of the plunger 1100 is positionedagainst the receptacle end 1206 of the tube 1200.

In some embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 20-22, the plunger1100 may include ribs 1114 by the flared end 1104 that are configured toguide the plunger 1100 through the tube 1200 in a substantially straightdirection. The ribs 1114 may be tapered, having their widest portionclosest to the flared end 1104 of the plunger 1100. The improvedguidance of the plunger 1100 by the ribs 1114 in a substantiallystraight direction prevents leakage of the flowable composition 20,which allows better dispension of the flowable composition 20 than waspossible with conventional applicators 1000.

In certain embodiments, the tip 1106 of the plunger 1100 may include alip 1110 that is configured to form a fluid seal with the cylindricalwalls 1204 of the tube 1200. In particular, the lip 1110 may be anannular ring having a flexible design configured to flexibly bend,compress, flex, and/or expand as needed to allow the plunger 1100 tomaintain a fluid seal with the walls 1204 of the tube 1200. The improvedfluid seal with the lip 1110 allows less viscous materials 20 to bedispensed with the applicator 1000 than was possible with conventionalapplicators 1000. The improved fluid seal with the lip 1110 alsoprevents more flowable material 20 from recessing back into theapplicator 1000 than was possible with conventional applicators.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 9-10 and 21-22, when the plunger 1100 isinserted into the tube 1200, a gap 1120 is formed between the plunger1100 and the walls 1204 of the hollow core 1202 of the tube 1200. Incertain embodiments, as illustrated by FIG. 9, the width of the gap 1120is relatively constant along the body 1102, such that the gap 1120 isclosed by the annular ring design of the lip 1110. In other words, thetip 1106 diameter does not expand beyond the diameter of the body 1102.

In other embodiments, as best illustrated in FIG. 22, the tip 1106diameter increases toward the lip 1110 such that the gap 1120 ispartially narrowed by the tip 1106 configuration, with the remaining gap1120 being closed by the lip 1110. In these embodiments, the flaredshape of the tip 1106 assists the lip 1110 to maintain firm contact withthe cylindrical walls 1204 by minimizing the distance between the widestpoint on tip 1106 and the cylindrical walls 1204.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 9-10, the tip 1106 and the connector end1208 may comprise complementary mating shapes that are free fromthreaded internal connectors, which prevents residual flowablecomposition 20 from being trapped between the plunger 1100 and the tube1200 when the plunger 1100 is fully depressed into the tube 1200.

In some embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the tip1106 protrudes at least a portion beyond the connector end 1208 of thetube when the plunger 1100 is fully depressed into the tube 1200, whichprevents any recess of flowable composition 20 after dispension. Thisprotrusion also facilitates cleaning of the tip 1106 of the plunger1100.

To fill the applicator 1000 with flowable composition 20, the applicator1000 may be connected to a dispenser for loading the applicator 1000with flowable composition 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, 10-13, and17-18. In certain embodiments, the administering tool 500 may bedesigned to work with the dispenser 10 described in U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/064,259, filed Oct. 15, 2014, entitled “MeteringDispenser for Flowable Compositions,” (“the '259 application”), theentire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. In theseembodiments, the administering tool 500 may comprise a curved or domedtop surface 504 having at least one hole 506 therein and a sidewall 508.In certain embodiments, a nozzle 514 may be used in place of the atleast one hole 506 and/or may be an extension thereof.

In certain embodiments, a cap 600 may be configured as a flip-top designthat snaps over the administering tool 500, and which is sized to fitsnugly over the administering tool 500 to prevent contamination and toreduce evaporation of the flowable composition 20.

The cap 600 may have downward projecting protrusions 602 which arereceivable within the hole 506 of the administering tool 500. Theprotrusions 602 substantially seal the hole 506 when the cap 600 is inplace, thereby reducing the risk of contamination of the flowablecomposition 20 and preventing clogging of the hole 506. Preferably, thecap 600 has a registering means to align with the administering tool 500to make alignment of the protrusion 602 and the hole 506 easier.

The dispenser nozzle 514 may be configured to couple to the connectorend 1208 of the application via a variety of connection designs.

In certain embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, the connectorend 1208 may be designed to connect to a snap-fit nozzle 514A. In theseembodiments, the snap-fit nozzle 514A comprises a tip 526 and a recessedarea 528 located below the tip 526. The tip 526 may be configured tohave a tapered shape with a narrower end that expands until it reachesthe recessed area 528. The connector end 1208 may comprise a flexibleopening that expands around the tip 526 as it is inserted into theconnector end 1208 until the connector end 1208 reaches the recessedarea 528. At that point, recessed area 528 is shaped to allow theconnector end 1208 to substantially return to its unstretched size. Theconnector end 1208 is then retained and held in place by the geometry ofthe tip 526 and the recessed area 528. As a result, the applicator 1000is held in an upright position by the snap-fit nozzle 514A.

Once the applicator 1000 has been connected to the snap-fit nozzle 514A,a user turns the base 200 of the dispenser 10 to advance the flowablecomposition 20 from the dispenser 10 into the applicator 1000. Asdescribed in detail in the '259 application, rotation of the base 200 toeach home or “click” position delivers a specific amount of flowablecomposition 20.

After the appropriate amount of flowable composition 20 has beendispensed into the applicator 1000 through the rotation of the base 200through an appropriate number of home or “click” positions, a user pullsthe applicator 1000 upwards until the connector end 1208 expands backover the tip 526 to disconnect the applicator 1000 from the dispenser10. The user then dispenses the medicine by depressing the plunger 1100to dispense the flowable composition 20 back through the connector end1208.

In these embodiments, use of a flexible snap-fit design for theconnector end 1208 allows the connector end 1208 to be formed of a softpliable plastic, which provides a more comfortable insertion andapplication than conventional applicators, such as those with threadedconnections. The bull-nosed shape of the connector end 1208 adds to thecomfort of the design. Furthermore, the use of the snap-fit design overconventional threaded connections allows the applicator 1000 to haveapproximately 80% less residual volume due to the absence of threadedconnections in the connector end 1208.

In further embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-13, the connector end1208 may be designed to connect to a snap-fit nozzle 514A that isattached to an adaptor cap 1300. The nozzle 514A may comprise the samesnap-fit features described above, including a cap 600 with protrusions602, while the administering tool 500 is otherwise replaced by theadaptor cap 1300. The adaptor cap 1300 is designed to couple tooff-the-shelf or prescription threaded tubes 1302 containing theflowable composition 20. In these embodiments, the patient has thebenefit of the improved comfort and reduced residual volume in theapplicator 1000, but is able to use a conventional source for theflowable composition 20.

In these embodiments, the user connects the applicator 1000 to thesnap-fit nozzle 514A as described above. The user then dispenses theflowable composition 20 into the applicator 1000 by squeezing the tube1302. In these embodiments, the appropriate amount of flowablecomposition 20 to be dispensed is determined by gauging when theappropriate marking 1108 is aligned with the edge of the receptacle end1206 of the tube 1200.

The user then disconnects the applicator 1000 from the snap-fit nozzle514 as described above. The user then dispenses the medicine bydepressing the plunger 1100 to dispense the flowable composition 20 backthrough the connector end 1208.

In further embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-18, the nozzle 514may be a threaded nozzle 514B having threads 530, and the connector end1208 may comprise complimentary threads 1210 for connecting theapplicator 1000 to the dispenser 10. In these embodiments, the threadedconnection allows users to benefit from the accuracy of the dispenser10, while still using a conventional connection design. To load theapplicator 1000, a user screws a threaded version of the connector end1208 onto the threaded nozzle 514B, and turns the base 200 of thedispenser 10 to advance the flowable composition 20 from the dispenser10 into the applicator 1000 until the appropriate amount of flowablecomposition 20 has been dispensed into the applicator 1000. The userthen unscrews the connector end 1208 from the threaded nozzle 514B, anddispenses the medicine by depressing the plunger 1100 to dispense theflowable composition 20 back through the connector end 1208.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings ordescribed above, as well as components and steps not shown or describedare possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are usefuland may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described forillustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodimentswill become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depictedin the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims below.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method of dispensing a flowablecomposition comprising: positioning a plunger of an applicator within atube of the applicator such that a tip of the plunger is in a dispensedposition; positioning a dispenser nozzle of an administering toolrelative to the applicator and moving the tip of the plunger from thedispensed position to a loaded position; and loading the flowablecomposition into the tube of the applicator from the administering toolafter the tip of the plunger is in the loaded position, wherein loadingthe flowable composition comprises moving the tip of the plunger fromthe loaded position to a filled position, wherein a distance between thetip of the plunger and a connector end of the tube in the loadedposition is greater than a distance between the tip of the plunger andthe connector end of the tube in the dispensed position and less than adistance between the tip of the plunger and the connector end of thetube in the filled position.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein movingthe tip of the plunger from the dispensed position to the loadedposition comprises positioning a portion of the dispenser nozzle withinthe tube of the applicator such that the dispenser nozzle moves theplunger from the dispensed position to the loaded position.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: detaching the dispenser nozzlefrom the applicator after loading the flowable composition; anddispensing the flowable composition from the applicator, whereindispensing the flowable composition comprises moving the plunger withinthe tube of the applicator such that the tip of the plunger is movedfrom the filled position to the dispensed position.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the tip of the plunger protrudes a predetermineddistance through the connector end of the tube and away from theconnector end of the tube when the plunger is in the dispensed position.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering tool comprises ametering dispenser, and wherein loading the flowable composition intothe applicator comprises loading a predetermined amount of the flowablecomposition into the applicator.
 6. An applicator comprising: a tubecomprising a receptacle end and a connector end opposite from thereceptacle end, wherein the tube defines a hollow core having a corewall extending from the receptacle end to the connector end; and amonolithically formed plunger comprising a plunger body, the plungerbody comprising a tip and a flared end opposite from the tip, whereinthe plunger is movable between a dispensed position and a filledposition, and wherein, in the dispensed position, the tip protrudesthrough the connector end of the tube and the flared end abuts thereceptacle end of the tube outside of the hollow core.
 7. The applicatorof claim 6, wherein the plunger further comprises a lip extendingoutwardly from an outer surface of the plunger body between the tip andthe flared end, wherein the lip is monolithically formed with theplunger body, and wherein the lip is configured to form a seal with thecore wall within the hollow core.
 8. The applicator of claim 6, whereinthe tip of the plunger body comprises a tip width, and wherein the tipwidth is a minimum width of the plunger body.
 9. The applicator of claim6, wherein the plunger body is elongated and extends along an axis fromthe tip to the flared end, and wherein a straightness deviation of theplunger body from the axis is less than 0.04 inches.
 10. The applicatorof claim 6, wherein the plunger body comprises at least two ribsextending outwardly from an outer surface of the plunger body betweenthe tip and the flared end, wherein the at least two ribs aremonolithically formed with the plunger body, and wherein the at leasttwo ribs are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.
 11. Theapplicator of claim 6, wherein the connector end of the tube comprises asnap-fit coupling design configured to couple to a snap-fit nozzle of anadministering tool.
 12. The applicator of claim 6, wherein the plungeris also movable to a loaded position, wherein a distance between the tipof the plunger body and the connector end of the tube in the loadedposition is greater than a distance between the tip and the connectorend in the dispensed position and less than a distance between the tipand the connector end in the filled position.